Frequently Asked Questions

All you need to know about websites and stuff…

With 20+ years’ experience in web and information technology, it’s pretty safe to say I’ve gained a vast amount of experience and knowledge, so I’ve crafted this FAQ page to answer many of the frequently asked questions I’ve been asked along the way.

If you can’t find your answer here, just jump on over to my contact page and get in touch.

I’m new to this whole website thing, how does it work?

Never fear, that’s why I’m here. You can learn about my proven process in my Getting Started section.

Is WordPress the best option for my business website?

WordPress is by far the most widely-used website platform today, powering over a quarter of ALL websites (yes, ALL websites). There are a few other options of course, and sometimes these may be the best option for you, depending on your circumstances.

Businesses choose WordPress because of its flexibility, and the functionality of your website can be as simple or as complex as you need it to be. You can start simple and add further functionality as needed.

How do I get my business website found in Google search results?

“On-page SEO” involves making sure your site is structured in the right way, your content is relevant for your customers and contains keywords that your customers are using to find you, and your site is built to load fast.

“Off-page SEO” involves establishing links from other websites back to your website, which tells Google that your site is relevant and trustworthy. Not all links are created equal though! The sites they come from must also be relevant and trustworthy, with ‘spammy’ sites being avoided at all cost because they will certainly do you more harm than good.

Increasing your website ranking in google’s search results takes time – generally 3 to 6 months – and it is an ongoing process to keep it up there.

Simply Savvy includes basic on-page SEO in all custom web design packages – because it’s just that important to set your site up properly for success from the get-go.

How much does a website cost?

This is probably THE most frequently asked question!

The cost of a website depends on various factors, just like the cost of a house may vary. This is why I have designed my Website Discovery Worksheet to find out more about your business and your goals, so that we can work together to achieve those goals.

As a general guide, most websites usually start from around $2,000 for basic business sites and range upward depending on your unique needs.

Are there any other costs involved?

Apart from having your fantastic new website lovingly designed, built and launched for you, there are some ongoing costs to be aware of.

Domain name (from $15 per year)

Website hosting – there are many options for this, but if you want me to take care of all that for you I can arrange hosting as part of an ongoing Website Care Plan, starting from $69/month

How long does it take to design and build a website?

The time it takes to produce a website depends on the size and complexity of your site and the quality of content that you have ready to go. I typically find a basic website can take anywhere from around 4 to 8 weeks from beginning to end.

Can I build my own website?

Maybe you like the idea of getting your hands dirty and learning the skills needed to design and create your own website? Maybe it’s the satisfaction of doing it yourself? Or maybe you have a really tight budget and just want to get something small and simple up there, that you can build on later?

Enter the Simply Savvy “I Can’t Believe I Did It Myself” DIY Website Program

Designed for inspired entrepreneurs who want to create their own website, but just need a little guidance and support along the way, the DIY Savvy Website Program makes YOU a Savvy Website DIYer, with:

the techie details taken care of so you can stop procrastinating because it’s all too confusing!

premium WordPress theme with an easy-to-use page builder so you can create your website exactly how you envisage it

step-by-step guides and checklists so you don’t have to stress out about missing anything

answers to any questions just an email away so you don’t waste time searching for answers

the confidence to maintain and update your website so that it continues to grow as your business grows

Do you write the content for my site?

I don’t directly write your content, however I do provide guidance for what is needed for each page and tips for how and what to write.

If you need further help with this I can put you in contact with a copywriter who specialises in writing for the web.

What is included in a website package?

There are many standard inclusions you can expect in a Simply Savvy website design package – pop over to my Website Design page for details.

Do I need my own domain name and web hosting?

Yes, you will need to purchase your domain name and I can guide you how to do this if you need help.

I can also arrange hosting as part of an ongoing Website Care Plan. If you don’t want to sign up to an ongoing care plan for any reason, I can provide guidance in setting up a hosting plan with one of my recommended providers.

Will my website work on mobile devices?

Yes it will. All Simply Savvy websites are designed to be mobile-responsive (automatically adjusts to the screen size of the device) and mobile-friendly (optimised to be easy to use on mobile).

Do you do eCommerce/Online Store websites?

Sure do! I use WooCommerce with WordPress to enable you to sell your products and/or services online, using payment gateways such as PayPal or Stripe.

What is a Content Management System?

A Content Management System is a tool that allows you to add and edit pages, images, products or blog posts to your website yourself, without the need for any technical skills. No additional software is required – all you need is a web browser and an internet connection.

WordPress is the internet’s most widely-used and supported CMS, powering over 30% of all websites.

Do you provide training?

Yes, personalised training is provided so that you can continue to add and update your website content.

If you are on a Website Care Plan, you will also have access to a range of video tutorials, from basic WordPress features, including the new Gutenberg block editor, plus how to use Google Analytics and WooCommerce.

Can you design my logo?

I like to focus on what I’m good at – designing and building websites. However, if you need someone to create your logo for you I have relationships with several graphic designers who specialise in logos and branding that I can recommend.

What is a domain name?

A domain name is your address on the internet. Typically this would be something like yourcompany.com.au.

Your domain name is purchased through a domain registrar, and needs to be renewed every 1 to 2 years.

What is web hosting?

Web hosting is a service that allows your website to be viewed on the Internet.

It’s basically a computer housed in a data centre that stores your website files and runs special web server software so that browsers can connect to your website.

Sometimes your hosting provider can also host your email, although this can also be hosted separately with a specialised email provider such as Microsoft Office 365 or Google G-Suite.